How does Occupational Therapy help?
Occupational Therapists help children and young people to participate in activities that they need to do every day at home and school.
Occupational Therapists — sometimes referred to OTs — can do an assessment with you and your parents to work out which daily activities you find difficult and make a plan with you based on your goals. It is really important to protect your sore joints but also to remain as active as possible and keep your joints moving.
For example, if you have sore and painful joints you might need some equipment to help you. This could be a shower chair so you can sit down instead of having to stand in the shower, or a wheelchair to use on a school excursion where you need to walk all day. An OT can help get this organised for you.
If you have arthritis in your wrists and hands you might have difficulty with handwriting at school. We can talk to your teachers so that you have extra rest breaks and possibly extra time in exams. An OT can make hand splints to support the joints which need it.
Occupational therapists can help you gently stretch and move your arms, wrists and fingers.
If you are significantly affected by the arthritis an OT can help you apply to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) which can fund therapy through local providers and any equipment needs.
If you think an OT can help, ask your Rheumatologist — they will provide a Referral to Occupational Therapy.